“I’m way more savvy with money now,
I get a thrill out of yellow sticker shopping and bargain hunting.”

Hayley, 26, Cardiff

Source: ITV What Unites Young Adults, 2023

Ah, Vera. Only Brenda Blethyn could bring in 7.5M viewers each episode, and only Brenda Blethyn could find a way to marry “murder” and “comfort viewing”.

The beloved cobbles continue to dominate peak time weekday viewing. Much of the appeal lies in the soap’s ability to reflect back real Britain, making the masses feel seen whilst feeding our need for a good old dose of curtain twitching.

This whodunnit is set in the fictional English county of Midsomer, a picturesque and peaceful rural area that contrasts with the sudden violence that occurs there. The comfort comes both from the bucolic backdrop and the darkly comic, reassuringly far fetched manner in which many of the characters meet their end - buried in a barrel of fishing bait, anyone?

As staples of the British household, daytime magazine shows tap into a core need to feel “in touch” with life. Most of us feel an innate desire to stay connected to the world around us by keeping abreast of political, social and cultural events, and the daytime slate, from GMB to Loose Women, deliver this connection in abundance.

Combining the familiar appeal of a pub quiz with high stakes, the show's accessible format, charismatic host, and well-known Chasers with distinct personalities also contribute to its popularity.

Movies offer a reassuringly large dose of escapism, and with thousands of movies ready
to stream for free, it’s no surprise this genre continues to grow and grow.